goodymatt

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/not-the-top-20-podcast/id1112915286?i=1000622880339 Not The Top 20 Podcast has us finishing 2nd. They have correctly predicted the last 4 winners of the championship in a row. They’ve gone with Leeds this time: 1. Leeds 2. Saints 3. Ipswich 4. Leicester 5. Sunderland 6. Middlesbrough

Couple of promotion predictions for us here, champions and playoff success.

Is the alternative target Piroe do we think? I’m hoping so!

Does his absence from a couple of recent friendlies give encouragement that he might actually be off? Or is his poor injury record carrying on from last season. This guy belongs in ‘Defectors Watch’, please. Then bring in some real competition for Gavin.

Martin said in his interview on Saints OS that he was feeling his ankle not his knee and that it was sensible to take him off. Admitted that he ‘probably could have played on’ and that he is fit for Friday.

Fab saying €15m, Sky said €20m… wonder if there are add ins or if we are just getting back what we paid in the end?

He’s had a poor game today, his passing has been way off his last two games.

Just the Southampton FC website stream I think

Interesting that Alex McCarthy doesn’t even make the bench again, Bycroft there instead.

£17m plus add ons in today’s market is a bang average player who had a decent championship campaign. This is our captain on a long term contract, record PL appearance holder for Saints, with a world class free kick talent. Lots of experience, has been in and around England team, and is rarely injured. His goal contribution numbers from deep midfield are also pretty good! It really is a laughable bid, much like the £9m bid for Tella.

Guess they are only interested if Caicedo price is too high, but by that point Lavia is already set on Liverpool. Would be great for us if Joe Shields could convince him and we got a bigger fee though. He owes us a favour or two.

I think Bednarek should be a very good CB at this level, would prefer to play one of him/Stephens along side a new ball playing CB though. Bit too one paced for our high attacking line otherwise. Smallbone has been great in pre season, think he will have ups and downs but will be much more useful than expected.

20%

I see no logic in selling Tella, even for £20m. Hope we don’t entertain any offer. £9m is such a disrespectful bid btw.

Should be a better/unrestricted view for those getting these new tickets as well. Hopefully be a good atmosphere and a good result! Very much looking forward to this.

Would appear the £40m fee for Maddison is the current record. Lavia will be breaking that after just one year of adult football!

Hope you’re right! 🤞

Bazunu Tino, Bednarek, Stephens, Manning JWP Smallbone Alcaraz Tella Adams Edozie

They have upped their bid from £37m to £45m in one day. Chelsea remain interested and Liverpool seem to really want him. £50m might still be possible yet including add ons and with 20% going to City it is in our best interests to maximise this sale. Be very interesting to see if we accept this latest bid or hold firm for more, we are seemingly close to an agreement.

So here is Ross Stewart’s injury history. Outside of a couple of hamstring injuries it is just the one bad Achilles tendon surgery. Can anyone tell me if that’s something players usually bounce back from ok or is it more troublesome. We all seem quite happy with Tino being first choice RB, surely his ACL injury is a bigger/worse injury? If this guy does come back fighting fit, in the small sample size we have from last season he was a goal machine. I think he might be worth a punt with one year left.

I’m happy with Bree as a back up, given he’s supposedly a capable Championship RB. Would just like to see him put in a performance in a saints shirt! First choice, not confident he’s good enough in our possession based style.

What continues to surprise me is his inability to put in a decent cross. He was well revered when at Luton, playing in their direct football approach. However, every time I watch him try to cross it, it bobbles into the box or goes flying. Is it just me?